Union Station Tree Lighting 2026

Union Station is one of the best-looking buildings in Los Angeles, and every November it adds a holiday tree to the picture. The 11th annual tree lighting ceremony takes place on Thursday, November 19, and the listing calls it a family-friendly kickoff to the holiday season. It is free, open to all ages, and held right in the middle of downtown.

What to Expect

The listing is short on program details. It does not publish a lineup, a performer list or a schedule for the lighting itself, so treat the two-hour window as the plan: show up, find a spot near the tree and wait for the switch to be flipped. That is the whole appeal of a tree lighting. You get a few minutes of glow, a crowd of neighbors and a reason to be outside on a cool November evening.

When: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6 PM to 8 PM Where: Los Angeles Union Station, 800 N Alameda St, Los Angeles, CA 90012 Cost: Free Ages: All ages

Why Go With Kids

If you keep a running list of things to do with kids LA offers as the holidays approach, this one is easy to fit in. A weeknight evening, no ticket and a start time before most bedtimes make it a low-effort outing. The station's Spanish Colonial Revival halls, old clock tower and courtyards give children plenty to look at while they wait, and the poster for the event shows the clock tower itself dressed up as a tree.

It also slots neatly into the wider run of family events Los Angeles hosts between now and New Year's. Since nothing here needs a reservation, you can decide that afternoon and still make it.

Getting There

Union Station is the region's main rail hub, which makes it one of the easier places downtown to reach without a car. Metro rail lines, Amtrak and Metrolink all stop here, so riding in is a sound way to skip the evening traffic. The listing does not say anything about parking, so if you plan to drive, check Union Station's own information before you go and give yourself extra time. Thursday evening downtown can be slow.

Dress in layers. The courtyards are open-air, and the temperature drops after sunset in November. Bring something warm for small kids, and plan to arrive a little early so you are not hunting for a view just as the lights come on.

Make a Night of It

Olvera Street and Chinatown are both a short walk away, and the area has plenty of places to eat before or after the ceremony. If you are building out a week of things happening in Los Angeles, pair this with another holiday stop on the family events page.

For the latest details, check the AllEvents listing before you head out. More nearby ideas are on the Downtown neighborhood page.